San Francisco fencer Gerek Meinhardt gets to compete after all

Fencer Gerek Meinhardt went to London as an alternate. But he’ll leave as a two-time Olympian. And maybe even with a medal.

Meinhardt is competing today in the men’s team foil for the U.S. The American team defeated France to reach the semifinals, where they lost to Italy.

The U.S. will be competing for a bronze medal later today. Meinhardt, 22, was promoted to the team, joining training partner Alex Massialas. They both train under Massialas’ father, Greg, at the Hablerstadt Fencing Club in San Francisco’s Mission District.

UPDATE: The U.S. foursome lost to Germany in the bronze-medal match, 45-27.